Claire Curzan (Virginia), Ahmed Jaouadi (Florida) Key Squads to Dual Meet Wins
An early-season college dual meet between marquee programs took place Friday in Gainesville, Fla., as the Virginia Cavaliers, the five-time defending national champions on the women’s side, visited the Florida Gators. Claire Curzan was part of five victories for UVA’s women, who won 224-127 over the Gators, while multiple wins by Ahmed Jaouadi and Jonny Marshall were key to helping Florida’s men come out on top 191.5-159.5.
The Cavaliers’ Bryn Greenwaldt, Aimee Canny, Curzan and Anna Moesch swam a time of 3:25.91 to win the 400 medley relay. Even though it’s only October and graduated sisters Alex Walsh and Gretchen Walsh were several states away, Virginia still recorded a time only four teams surpassed at last season’s NCAA Championships. Florida was actually two-and-a-half seconds ahead at the halfway point, but Curzan blasted a 49.26 butterfly split while Moesch came home in 46.35.
Individually, Curzan won the 50 backstroke (23.58), 100 backstroke (50.08) and 100 butterfly (50.06). Canny crushed the field in the 200 IM with a time of 1:55.03, and she doubled up with a strong performance in the 500 free, touching in 4:34.26 to lead a Virginia 1-2-3 finish with Cavan Gormsen and Katie Grimes.
Greenwaldt won a tight 50 free, clocking 22.05 to touch out Moesch (22.07) and Sara Curtis (22.09). Moesch put forth a huge time of 1:41.42 to win the 200 free, with freshman Madi Mintenko also impressive with a time of 1:43.42. Moesch got another win in the 100 free in 47.05.
Tess Howley crushed her competition in the 200 fly (1:54.38), and Emma Weber came home first in the 200 breaststroke (2:08.58). UVA’s Lawson Ficken topped the 50 butterfly in 23.60, and she led off a team also including Greenwaldt, Curzan and Moesch that won the 400 free relay in 3:11.55.
Anita Bottazzo had a brilliant day for Florida, beginning with a 55.96 breaststroke split on the Gators’ 400 medley relay that forced Virginia to work hard to pull out the victory. Bottazzo clocked 26.58 to win the 50 breast by almost eight tenths, and she later went 56.87 to win the 100 breast by more than two seconds.
Julie Brousseau finished first by more than 11 seconds in the 1000 free (9:25.50) while Catie Choate pulled away for first in the 200 back (1:51.58). Florida’s Maria Garcia won 3-meter diving (347.63) and Camyla Monroy was first on 1-meter (310.65).
For the men’s meet, the Gators showed off the prowess of two-time distance freestyle world champion Ahmed Jaouadi. The freshman from Tunisia dominated the 1000 freestyle in 8:44.85 before going 4:14.94 for first in the 500 free. Jaouadi also placed second in the 200 free (1:35.79).
Jonny Marshall of the Gators won the 50 back (21.45) and 100 back (45.68), and teammate Devin Dilger took first in the 50 free (19.68) and 100 free (42.48). Nil Cadevall pulled away for first in the 100 breast (53.87) before doubling up in the 200-yard race (1:57.32). Jesus Gonzalez won both diving events for the Gators, 1-meter (352.28) and 3-meter (385.20). Notably, Florida was missing senior sprint star Josh Liendo Friday, with Liendo competing at the World Cup meet in Carmel, Ind.
Virginia opened with a bang as Spencer Nicholas, Maximus Williamson, Thomas Heilman and David King won the 400 medley relay in 3:05.19. Highly-touted freshmen Williamson and Heilman both had strong days in their first official college dual meets. Williamson easily cleared the field in the 200 IM with a time of 1:43.55, and he later swam a time of 1:33.81 to win the 200 free. Heilman grabbed first in the 50 fly (20.52), 100 fly (45.29) and 200 fly (1:41.69).
Jay Gerloff won the 50 breast (24.92), and David King sizzled on the back half to take first in the 200 back (1:41.04). The team of Heilman, King, Jack Aikins and Williamson swam a time of 2:50.52 for a convincing win in the 400 free relay.
